Hetero and homonormative are two tenets we interrogated during this unit. We also examined queerness in HH. Several of you learned about black masculine's "unwritten" urinal rule as well as the dap or butt slapping as "queer." We shared, debated, laughed, and disagreed. This unit usually challenges you the most in thinking "differently." As we finish, we'll discuss the ladies. From Jean Grae and Lil Kim to Nicki Minaj as well as "pimps" like Snoop, Iceberg Slim, and Ice-T who appear somewhat "feminized" in their queer performativity as metrosexuals, yet whose undeniable patriarchal manipulation and domination of women remain problematic. So, I ask - will Hip-Hop have a future without the continued hypersexualization of women? Why or why not? (Please remember to follow the blog rubric found on the syllabus)
Due: Wed., 3/1/17 by the beginning of class.
In order to grasp whether or not Hip Hop will have a future without the continued hypersexualization of women, we must address the real issue. The reason why the patriarchal hierarchy in Hip Hop culture prevails, is because that is what sells. Short and simple. If "The Mack" had not been remotely successful in the 70s when it came out, then perhaps it would not have evolved into Iceberg Slims novels in the 80s, etc. Money is and notoriety are some of the driving forces in this culture. We as a society have placed too much emphasis on physical desires and materialistic achievements. So when you ask if Hip hop will have a future that is not vain, or over sexualized, you have to also ask, will we as a society change or value that we have placed on the material. While we do have artists that try to defy these stereotypes, such as J Cole, we still have a long way to go. Hip Hop will have, and will continue to have, a future with the hypersexualization of women, until we decide to remove the inherent value we have placed on that lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteI think that Hip Hop could have a future without hypersexualizing women if rappers took the initiative to change the content they are putting out. Today's rappers mainly rap about the amount of girls they have and could have sex with. Sadly, that is what interests this generation the most. If women are not being described as sexy and aren't showing that "sexiness" in videos than no one is going to pay attention to that artist. Due to the amount of rappers that put out songs that degrade women, that type of material has become the norm and there is no going back. The hypersexualization of women makes it hard for a woman to be herself. Rappers have created a standard for women, and if they don't act or dress how they are portrayed in these songs then they will be judged. In order for Hip Hop to continue without hypersexualizing women, artists have to make themselves heard and show society that this standard is not okay. If there were more artists like Chance the Rapper and Childish Gambino, hip hop would slowly return to how it used to be. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXjcJ8LHrwM This video shows how much society hypersexualizes women and how if you don't look like the girls in the video then you won't get any recognition. All it takes is for one artist to influence another and then it will become a chain reaction.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXjcJ8LHrwM
DeleteI do believe that Hip Hop does have a future without the continued hypersexualization of women if artist, listeners and society as a whole demand changes. As consumers, we need to hold our artists accountable and suggest what we want the same way we hold companies responsible. In a way, it's a vicious cycle that never ends. Artist produce what they think consumers want to hear and then consumers listen to the music because that is what their favorite artists produce, but one has to change. It is possible for artists to rap about other things, be authentic and still be successful. For example, Chance the Rapper just won a Grammy for his album Coloring Book, and he wasn't even signed to a major label! Kendrick Lamar's To Pimp A Butterfly also won a Grammy award for best rap album. However, artists like this are the exception, not the norm. While I think it will take a long time to totally get rid of the hypersexualization in Hip Hop, I don't think it's impossible. It will take a "revolution," so to speak, to change this and I think we are already beginning to see this at a grassroots level, especially as more artists choose to be independent and music technology continues to advance and provide a platform for authenticity.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I do not think hip hop will ever stop hyper- sexualizing women. Exploiting women within hip hop is a major part in the financial income of the industry, especially black women. In all different cultures, it is a common saying that "sex sales". Of course, there are other ways to make a profit, but adding sexual elements makes the product more valuable in the eyes of the current generation. Regardless of this fact, the hypersexualization of black women traces back to the times of slavery. This was clearly illustrated when Sarah Baartman was discussed. This affirms the notion of everything tracing back to the patriarchal society. One could have hope and say that hip hop will stop hypersexualizing women because women have come so far with independence. Although this is true, an individual's capability of surviving alone has little to do with the way that individual is sexually perceived. Even when discussing the independence of black women in hip hop, it is layered because there is still the need of male approval. This is especially true since the hip hop industry is male dominated. The issue of hypersexualization is mainly an issue in the black community because it is in its history. However, even after recognizing it is an issue, there are many women who are not opposed to being sexualized; they are content with being seen as sexual objects. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8vrfM0hRCg)If there are women who are open to being hypersexualized, it will never die within the black community nor hip hop. The only way for it to disappear from the hip hop culture, is if men and women meet on one accord and agree to make conscious efforts to stop this image from spreading. But since perspectives between people will always differ, the answer still remains a no. I believe it can diminish, but not fully be removed from hip hop.
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ReplyDeleteAs we discussed in class, women play a large part in getting the attention of a rapper’s audience. Without hypersexualized women, Hip-Hop would no longer be appealing to the main target audience: men. Rappers call women “bitches” and “hoes” to be derogatory, but in actuality, they are attracted to such women. When presented the opportunity to be with a woman that is not a hoe, they often do them wrong. However, when a “hoe” is presented, they are greatly attracted to them and sometimes give them everything they want. So, while they are talking negatively about these types of women in their music, they are really expressing their desire for them. If there were no scantily clad women in music videos, no one would watch them. If songs no longer involved sexual escapades between a rapper and his many women, no one would listen to them. People do not only want to solely hear about money and the other commodities that come with being a mainstream rapper; they are interested in all the women that these famous people get. The Hip-Hop industry would not be seen as interesting if hypersexualized women were removed. Many people, mainly men, are inspired by rappers because of the life they live and the amount of women they have available to them. Without hypersexualization, the women in their music videos would be less appealing and people would not care about their “favorite” rappers or their lives anymore. Although women have a difficult time in the Hip-Hop industry, they are essentially the driving force of Hip-Hop because they propel it forward by catching listeners’ eyes. By drawing attention to themselves in music videos, it causes people to stop and look at them, which leads to them listening to the song being played. Imagine the attached music videos without the women, would you still want to watch them?
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-sJp1FfG7Q – Bad & Boujee- Migos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXRN_LkCa_o – Loyal- Chris Brown
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HL1UzIK-flA – Work- Rihanna
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xGhK6qgPtM – Do You Mind- DJ Khaled
Since the beginning of hip hop music artist have always hyper-sexualized women. It seems like each decade the songs get more explicit and girls wear less and less clothing in videos. Hip hop is not the only area that has hyper-sexualized women. You see these aspects in social media, magazines and even tv commercials. Clearly sex sells but that is because society has overstressed and emphasized the hyper-masculinity of males. This patriarchal concept has become the norm for guys and even some females have embraced this hyper-sexualization. For example, Nicki Minaj has been criticized for her homonormative acts in her videos even though she claims she’s not gay. Below is a picture of Nicki allowing a female fan to grab her butt on stage and Nicki pays the favor back by grabbing her breast. Not only is this confusing to her audience but it is offensive to the LGBTQ community. Hip hop is known for it’s story behind deep lyrics as well as it’s sexualization of women. Without degrading women through lyrics or portraying them as the stereotypical promiscuous girl in videos, a male rap artist would not be able to portray their hyper-masculinity (alpha male) in a song. So to answer the question, yes I do think future hip hop has a chance without the hypersexualization of women, but I don’t think it would be as popular the hip hop today simply because the world has embraced being a patriarchal, sex crazed society.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwivsenEqLPSAhWERiYKHfcnCYYQjRwIBw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fhiphop24x7.com%2Fnews%2Fnicki-minaj-gropes-german-fans-breast-on-stage%2F&psig=AFQjCNEWC4njy0LbBDXlwmE7_jflVkx3Kw&ust=1488389179525109
No, I do not believe that hip hop will have a future without the hypersexualization of women. The reason is sex sells. Corporate labels put out what the masses buy and what brings Iin the most revenue, and that unfortunately is the exploitation of women. Men like to see women in short skirts that reveal their bodies it appeals to their sex drive. Ever since slavery there has been this whole notion of superiority between male and female. Males were valued more than females for their work ethic. A lot of times, male slaves had to whip their female counterparts if the overseer and master wanted them too. After doing this so many times, they became desensitized to the act. It was perceived as normal. In this same light, hypersexualizing women and using derogatory language against this is now perceived as normal. We discussed how strippers are praised more so than regular women who grind hard. They appeal to male's sex drive. As discussed in class, in slavery times, black women were perceived as promiscuous due to how they are built. Rappers today still use this. For example, on Drake's verse on Nicki Minaj's song only, he says "I like my women B.B.W. so thick that everyone in the room was so uncomfortable." This describes the type of woman he would prefer as a sex partner. These days people have become so desensitized to the way rappers speak of rappers that its normal. I remember when I had first started listening to hip hop in the eighth grade, I used to cringe at the way they spoke of women. Now I am used to it. Women in hip hop especially, Nicki Minaj and Lil Kim have created themselves sex toys in a way in order to appeal to the male hyper masculinity. They have been criticized for doing this due to a double standauard that when women express themselves freely they're being hos however when men do it, they're being bosses. Nonetheless, it sells. Women could stop this however they are continually supporting it by exploiting the very harsh lyrics that are being rapped about.
ReplyDeleteI believe there is no hip hop without women to be completely honest. In class, we talked about men using women for exposure in the rap/hip hop realm. If women weren't in the videos, men wouldn't watch them because that would be considered "gay" to watch another mans video without reason. In terms of female rappers like Lil' Kim and Nicki Minaj I think they're sexuality and their behavior in terms of dressing a certain way, or speaking a certain way caused them to gain fans they probably wouldn't have had otherwise. It got the attention of many males to hear what they were talking about, especially these two particular artists who are known for their obscene and vulgar carefree lyrics. So as far going forward in hip hop without the hyper sexualization of women, I don't think its possible because the way the culture is going now, looks and sexuality reigns supreme.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that Hip-Hop will have a future without hypersexualization of women. Due to the fact that Hip-Hop is mostly male dominated, I find it difficult to go back from its current state. If we step out of Hip-Hop culture to the overall culture of the U.S. I would say it is almost impossible to remove something that has been almost been solidified. If someone were to look at censorship back in the 80’s, they would notice things were stricter as far as what was put out on the media. As the years went on, this strict cloud of censorship began to lighten up. Also due to the male patriarchy that is established, the cloud of censorship is mostly catered to them. Meaning that they will make sure that affirmations of masculinity will be present, which leads to the hypersexualization of woman more acceptable because they know that “sex sales”. This is not only a figurative saying but a literal saying because pimp culture has a part in this. What other way to make someone feel like “The Man” than being surrounded by half naked women that appear to be interested into them. What other way is there to display dominance and make another man jealous than always being in control. The ego boost and pride that these men get from having sex with multiple women and being able to always have their way. Deep inside every man, there is a part of him that wants to be dominant, this can be seen in nature with most animal herds, flocks, or packs. The alpha wolf controls the whole pack and got there by expressing his dominance through power. For some male humans, the quickest way to do that through females. That’s why when Trey Songs says “It’s Mister Steal Your Girl” that is insinuating that he is better or more dominant than you that he can take your girl, leaving you inferior to him. Hip-Hop currently shows most women as these objects used by men and not as the human beings that they are today, and for the fact that it has only gotten worse over the years, I do not see it reverting back. If anything it will continue to get worse until it plateaus. Hip Hop is currently showing half naked women, and occasional quick naked shots of women. At the rate Hip-Hop culture, and U.S. culture is going, it’s only a matter of time before all of the women are naked in some of these videos. A great video that shows how hip hop artist have twisted the views of women over the years is this short clip by Crank Lucas that shows the evolution of love songs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CWoXzVjDWs
ReplyDeleteI do not think Hip Hop can have a future without the hypersexualization of women because it's now seen as normal in today's society. Very few see hypersexualization has a problem because everyone is now used to it. As a result, this is all the future generation is exposed to. Evidence of this can be seen in “The Mic Sounds Nice: The Truth About Women and Hip-Hop” when female rappers like Lil Kim and Foxy Brown became popular, other female artists that wore baggy clothing felt as if they had to change up their style. Due to women sexism in Hip Hop, introduced by Lil Kim and Foxy, today's artist like Nicki Minaj have taken on those same characteristics. I see hypersexualization as continuous cycle bound to get worst. When women like Nicki Minaj make videos like “Anaconda” it tells the younger generation that they are not pretty or accepted if they don’t have a curvy body or big butt. Nicki says “I said, where my fat ass big bitches in the club? Fuck the skinny bitches! Fuck the skinny bitches in the club!” When 2 Chains makes videos like “I Luv Dem Strippers” it makes women feel as if since strippers are getting the majority of the attention from guys then they have to follow the same footsteps. When people see blogs mainly focusing on people like Kim Kardashian, Blac Chyna, and Amber Rose gaining sexual attention for their bodies and being wife by well-established rap artist many feel as if their body has matched the “celebrities”. No longer is educated women being praised but those that have the sexual image. In order to change hypersexualization, it's going to take a significant amount of individuals. Many people are not up for the challenge because it’s all the money. When going against something that is normal many does not want to listen.
ReplyDeleteWatch the video below has it shows clips of hypersexuality in hip hop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxNjMcC0nRE
For years, capital gain in Hip-Hop has relied on the sexualization of women. In the commercial world, sex is used across multiple platforms to entice the audience and attract consumers. As we discussed in class, rap music has a predominantly male audience. Lyrics and videos are not only used to perpetuate hyper masculinity of the male artist, but to invoke the desire in the male viewer to emulate this same hyper masculinity. Being surrounded by half naked women makes the artist appear to be desirable while providing the viewer with enticing eye candy. Over time, this explicitness has persisted. The difference in today's Hip-Hop culture is that sex seems to be everywhere. In the early 2000s, BET produced a show entitled BET Uncut. "The nightly show, which aired on the network from 2001-2006, introduced viewers to the most explicit and sexual music videos to come out at the time" (XXL Magazine). Videos such as Nelly's "Tip Drill," 50 Cent's "Inferno," and Lil' Flip's "You'ze A Trick" aired after hours and displayed women in explicit dress and often making nods to sexually explicit activity. It is interesting to see how these videos were categorized as too explicit for day time television while videos like Rae Sremmurd's "Throw Sum Mo" and 2 Chainz "I Luv Dem Strippers" were played on VH1 in my local nail salon at 3pm on a Saturday. Then, there are videos like Future's "Used To This" that focus solely on the sexualization of women while the song has a completely different focus. I think that mainstream commercial Hip Hop will always hyper sexualize and objectify women. I would even argue that strippers and video vixens/ "video hoes" have become an element of today's Hip-Hop culture. Strip clubs and strippers thrive on the promotion and support that they receive from the rap community. The heightened success of individual strippers have often led to rap careers and their entrance into other entertainment industry careers. I believe this as well as the continued depiction of the hyper sexualized female emcee has made it even harder for those who do not wish to emulate this male desired persona.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.xxlmag.com/eye-candy/2015/08/16-memorable-bet-uncut-music-videos/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwrY0D2ACNk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atHekn9KE18
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZDmuHSqwtg
Tiye Bradley ^
DeleteThe Hyper- sexualization and demeaning culture of black women will indeed continue to be a staple in the Hip-Hop Community. Because the pimp is so deeply rooted in hip-hop culture i.e the fashion, lifestyle , speech. Many rappers have built there entire image on being a playboy, demeaning and exploiting women and being a male ho.Also, if you do a survey of the hip hop audience it would be a majority of male listeners. The male listeners admired men who embodied the ideology of a pimp. Nowadays entertainers like Gucci mane, Rich homie Quan, Lucci and many others lyrics are full with explicit and pimp like behavior because it is a common factor for an artist to acquire capital from the hip-hop consumer. If one decided to do a thematic analysis on the song created by Gucci Mane ft. Rich Homie Quan "pass around" the themes that would be a "shared women", Ownership,and Disposable. This is how a ho is described in today's music and this type of female is glorified and broadcast-ed nationally on the day to day basis across our airwaves.The only way a female rapper could be successful in today's hip hop culture is to become a hyper-sexualized figure to attract that male audience.Look at Nicki Minaj she releases a song like "Anaconda " and deemed the queen of rap because of her illicit lyrics. She has led the way for women to began to showcase their body to become successful in the industry. Which is another reason why the adult entertainment industry is growing as the years creep by. I believe that the hyper sexualization of women will only increase as the industry grows.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDZX4ooRsWs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emUecdcAczs